Second and third batches

[LyeHurts]

Hiya


My first attempt at making soap went baboon but I kept at it and hey it works fine.


My second attempt was an olive-castor-jojoba-coconut-shea-almond-apricot kernel-avocado oil soap with a bit of dried rosemary in for texture and scrubbiness. I added too little EO's though and it still has a bit of that raw soap smell. After mixing it properly this time, the soap has ended up with a PH value of 9.

The third attempt was a 5% superfat pure olive pomace castille. I added lavender and rosemary EO's (50-50) and it smells nice and fresh. The PH value is 9 on this one as well. The only problem I have with it really is the lather which looks more like shaving foam than anything else. Will add some coconut or palm fats to it next time for bigger bubbles.

Looks too much like a block of cheese to me so I'll try adding a bit of color next time. I've seen some really nice layered soaps on this forum.


Question: How on earth do I get the PH balance down to 7 or even 6?
These soaps are fine for hands and body but they still tingle a bit in the hair and face. How much does oatmeal and goats milk lower the PH value? Has anybody tried adding something slightly acidic to the soap mixture such as lemon juice etc?


Kind regards
LyeHurts

 

[Dixie]

Great looking soap! Your ph level will lower with curing time.

 

[LJA]

Really pretty and natural looking. Nice cuts too!

 

[Guest]

very very nice soap ..They look great and the lather definitely gets better with age ..Way to go , the pics are great too.

Kitn

 

[honor435]

they shouldnt tingle should they? my ph is always at 9, never changes, i just checked one of my very first soaps, 9! makes me wonder if they even work? Do you do zap test to make sure their done? I hate doing it. Nice looking soap, i like the yellow color.

 

[LyeHurts]

Thank you all for your kind words

I hope to make better soaps than these in the future

I've seen real masterpieces here on the forum that make me green with envy :wink:

I test the soaps using regular PH test strips 1-14.
What is a zap test? I don't know..

So time itself will lower the PH? How long and by how much in general?
I've read in my soap making book that it takes something between 4-6 weeks and that they get milder but it doesn't specify anything more detailed.

 

[krissy]

a zap test is when you touch your tongue to the soap and see if you get a 9 volt battery type of tingle. it...zaps a bit. if it zaps let is sit for another week or two then try again. if it still zaps, it is lye heavy soap. i think you are supposed to throw it away.

 

[heartsong]

x

hi there!

nice looking soaps! after curing, 4-6 weeks your soap will get harder, milder and more lathery.

good job!

 

[LyeHurts]

Yucky yucky x 1 million :shock:

The second batch tasted a bit salty like and then there is a small tingle on the tongue but not as much as a battery.

The third batch wasn't as bad, just tasted like soap.

lol.. thank you for this fantastic new taste in my mouth..

I'm going to the kitchen now to get something to drink..

 

[vivcarm]

First of Welcome, and second, what lovely soaps!

 

[LJA]

The third batch wasn't as bad, just tasted like soap.

lol.. thank you for this fantastic new taste in my mouth..

I'm going to the kitchen now to get something to drink..

Gotcha. There's no such thing as a zap test. They were just trying to get you to put soap in your mouth. :wink:

(kidding...no really, I am) Welcome to the foum.

 

[Imblebee]

Soap cannot hold together with a pH of 6-7. It would turn to a big oily goo. pH strips are also notorious for being unreliable. If you really want to know the true pH of your soap a digital pH meter would be the way to go. CP generally has a pH of 9-10.

Otherwise, as long as you used a lye calc, measured properly and used oils to maximize their properties you'll be fine. Once you cut the soap give it a couple of days and zap test it. The soap will continue to saponify and age properly during the cure.